New York Mets starter Clay Holmes is having an impressive run that broke a record held by Nolan Ryan and Johan Santana.
When fans and experts discussed the New York Mets pitching staff going into this season, the focus was on the one-two punch at the top of the rotation that would come from starters Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean. They’ve both had their moments, McLean especially, but the pitcher who’s been outdoing them so far is Clay Holmes.
Holmes took a tough 2-1 loss last night agains the Arizona Diamondbacks, but his ERA is just 1.86 with a WHIP of 1.01, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, and he’s holding hitters to a .190 batting average.
He’s allowed two runs or less in all eight of his starts this season, and that run has put him in unique company, breaking the record of seven that was shared Johan Santana and Nolan Ryan. Holmes knows what his formula for success is, and he’s been able to employ it consistently.
“When I'm in the zone and don’t give free passes, I set myself up for success,” Holmes said. “Between the sinker, changeup, curveball and sweeper, I should be able to get guys on the ground and really limit the damage.”
Sinkerball pitchers typically don’t get a lot of respect, but Holmes has that from his manager, as the starter is building on last year’s numbers of 12-8 with a 3.53 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 31 starts.
“There’s a lot to like from him,” said Carlos Mendoza. “I like his ability to get ground balls, his ability to make pitches when he needs to, his ability to slow the game down, his understanding of the situation, attacking hitters, and getting strike one using the sinker.”
Holmes has also held his own in some tough pitching duels, including last night’s battle with Merrill Kelly of Arizona. Kelly was dealing, too, and after a couple of base hits got through and the Diamondbacks scored a pair of runs, Holmes knew he needed to hold the line with the Mets down 2-1.
“That inning they had some balls get through and they were able to scratch a couple out there,” Holmes said. “I felt like I could hold them there, and I was just trying to get as deep as I can after that."
That depth is something the Mets’ staff badly needs, especially the way the offense is struggling. That’s what’s really keeping Holmes from being a star, as the Mets are scrambling to score runs with Francisco Lindor out and most of the rest of the lineup scuffling.